By Patrick James on 2018-06-10 - The author has been a motoring writer for more than 16 years. Formerly motoring editor at the Coventry Telegraph, he now produces motoring copy, on new car launches and road tests on a freelance basis.

MITSUBISHI is rightly renowned for its rugged off roaders like the Shogun and the L200 pick-up series.

In recent years the Japanese firm has joined just about every other manufacturer on the SUV/Crossover bandwagon.

There is the excellent Outlander and its plug-in hybrid variant which has proved a runaway success, and the smaller ASX.

Last year, the visually imposing Eclipse Cross, the first of a new generation of Mitsubishis says the firm, has joined the stable, sitting between the other two.

The mid-sized SUV sector is a crowded market with plenty of excellent competition out there, so it needs to be good.

It comes in both two and four wheel drive and four levels of trim, all well specified and with a feisty 1.5 litre petrol engine on this model

The firm says its new range are capable and desirable thanks to their sharp designs, engaging driving characteristics, advanced technologies, enhanced safety features and more inviting interiors.

It's hard to argue with any of these assertions, the sharp, swooping lines give it the look of a coupe, a higher off the ground then usual coupe admittedly, but making it more aerodynamic. Add to this distinctive LED lighting to front and rear, integrated roof rails and distinctive alloys, it certainly catches the eye.

The only drawback for me is the full width spoiler, which splits the rear screen and houses the rear lights clusters. The LED lights do look good, but at the cost of an impaired the rear view.

This however, is partially mitigated by the excellent 360-degree parking camera with overhead view and parking sensors.

The interior is not quite as eyecatching, but still a pleasant environment with a mixtures of soft touch and harder plastics and robust equipment.

The centrepiece is the touchscreen infotainment system which features Smartphone-Link Display Audio connectivity for Apple and Android and other major functions.

Even the entry level model boasts high levels of equipment, including the camera, smartphone link, the touchpad controller on the central console and automatic high beam.